Big Android XR update brings PC app streaming to headsets, plus more

In a post published yesterday on Google’s The Keyword blog, Google unveiled a series of new features for the universal Android XR platform for XR headsets and glasses. Right now, Android XR is mainly used by Samsung’s Galaxy XR headset, but the hope is that more and more manufacturers will possibly adopt Android XR going forward.

One of the major innovations in this batch of updates is the new PC Connect feature. With PC Connect, you’ll be able to connect your Galaxy XR headset to your Windows PC, then pull in a specific window or even your entire desktop into the Galaxy XR device.

The windows pulled in via PC Connect can be used side-by-side with native Google Play apps, allowing you to be more productive within your XR environment. Those windows from your PC can also be games, essentially allowing you to stream games from your PC to your headset.

Android XR also has a new Travel Mode that keeps your XR view stable even when you’re in a bumpy environment, like a car or a plane or a train. This way you can keep using your Galaxy XR headset in cramped locations without feeling disoriented or getting nauseated.

Lastly, Android XR is introducing a new feature called Likeness, which is a realistic XR representation of your face that mirrors your expressions and hand gestures in real time. When using Android XR for video calls, your Likeness will make the interaction feel more authentic and natural.

These new features for Android XR—PC Connect, Travel Mode, and Likeness—are already rolling out in beta form.